Inside Iowa State

Sept. 8, 2006

'Pop musical' AIDA stops at Stephens this month

by Anne Krapfl

Tony and Grammy Award-winning AIDA, a musical by Elton John and Tim Rice, comes to Stephens this month for two performances. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23. AIDA is part of the 2006-07 Season at Stephens.

AIDA (pronounced "Ah-EE-da") is based on the 19th-century, four-act opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi. It's the story of Aida, daughter of the Ethiopian king whose true identity is unknown to her Egyptian captors; Amneris, the Egyptian princess Aida serves; and Radames, the Egyptian soldier they both love. So, yes, its themes also include loyalty, courage and betrayal.

But this AIDA is not opera, according to John. "It's truly a pop musical with spoken dialogue and all kinds of recognizable song types: urban-based rhythm and blues, gospel-inspired songs, ballads and, of course, Crocodile Rock songs," he said in a statement.

In 2000, AIDA won four Tony Awards, including best actress in a musical and best original music score, and a Grammy Award for best musical show album.

Tickets are $40.50 or $44.50 (with discounts for ISU students and those 18 years and younger), and available from TicketMaster, including the Stephens ticket office.

The Iowa State Center is offering one of six pre-show dinners this season prior to the Friday AIDA performance. Dinners are next door in the Scheman Building. A cash bar social begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased by Sept. 19.

Casey Elliott (left) stars as Radames and Marja Harmon is Aida in Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA coming to Stephens Sept. 22-23. Submitted photo.